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Summit of the America Reviewed; Tips on Getting a New Job

Aired April 18, 2009 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Members of Congress already reacting. And lock and load. Americans arming themselves out of concern the right might be taken away.

Hello, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield and you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.

All right. A lot of hand shakes and encouraging words at this weekend's Summit of the Americas. It is the fifth summit. This one taking place in Port of Spain on the island of Trinidad. The leaders of 34 countries are there. President Barack Obama has been reaching out saying he wants a quote "equal partnership with all U.S. neighbors." The day is full of meetings as well the obligatory official photo and official dinner later on.

Well, a lot of public talk has focused on a couple of hand shakes and even a gift. All between President Obama and Venezuela's fiery leader, Hugo Chavez. Their first encounter was yesterday before the summit actually got started. Juan Carlos Lopez with CNN en Espanol is at the summit. And so are we looking at a more open relationship perhaps between the U.S. and Venezuela?

JUAN CARLOS LOPEZ, CNN EN ESPANOL: Well, at least in the last 24 hours, yes, Fredricka. It all started when the presidents were getting ready to walk out for the inaugural session. And President Obama approached President Chavez, they shook hands and they spoke. Then this morning there was a meeting of South American leaders with President Obama and before cameras were ready to leave, Chavez got up, he went up to President Obama and gave him a book. It's a book on Latin American history called "The Open Veins of Latin America". Then in the photo session they once again shook hands, they once again spoke. So they have been shaking hands a lot.

But the White House adviser to the summit, Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow believe that is not too much should be read into these last 24 hours.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFRREY DAVIDOW, PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER: We have very little dialogue with Venezuela. We have a lot of issues including narcotics which is becoming a major problem in that part of the Caribbean, is a major problem in that part of the Caribbean. Other issues with climate, energy, what have you, and that dialogue is broken because of actions of the Venezuelan government. So I would like to see us have more contact with them, but a hand shake and a smile is not a new relationship.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LOPEZ: But President Chavez said he does see a different relationship, a different tone between the countries. He says he is acting in good faith and he still is taking jabs at former President Bush, but he is praising Obama, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: OK. While Davidow said it's not a new relationship. You can't read too much into this hand shake. I wonder what was the reaction among other Latin American leaders who saw this display wide out in the open?

LOPEZ: I think there was a sense of relief both on the part of the leaders who agree politically with Chavez and those who don't. Because in the buildup to the summit, talk had been on were they going to talk to each other, were they going to greet each other? President Chavez has called President Obama an ignoramus so there was a lot of curiosity and the focus on the summit had been that President Obama defused the tension and many leaders felt that now they can get on and discuss the topics they wanted to talk about during the summit.

WHITFIELD: OK. And they had the class photo and we saw the images earlier, they've got dinner coming up. I wonder if following perhaps the Venezuelan president's suit, are other leaders now reaching out to try to have a little moment with President Obama?

LOPEZ: Everyone is trying. When you look at the sessions when the president goes in and comes out, everyone wants a picture with him. Even during the photo session, another leader gave him an Obama book for him to sign. So it is -- what we didn't see yesterday, we start to see today. Where the president is very popular and everyone wants to be next to Mr. Obama and everyone wants a picture and an autograph.

WHITFIELD: All right. Juan Carlos Lopez. Thanks so much. I guess President Obama should have brought his books. I heard him mention earlier that he wished he had a book of his own to give to Chavez.

LOPEZ: He might give Chavez one.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much. Appreciate it.

All right. New saber rattling out of North Korea today including a veiled threat the secretive state might use a nuclear weapon. It follows Thursday's UN condemnation of Pyongyang's controversial rocket launch nearly two weeks ago. Today North Korea warned any retaliatory sanctions would be viewed as a declaration of war and it would not rule out using a nuclear deterrent.

North Korea maintains the April 5th rocket launch was a peaceful space mission. The U.S. and its Asian allies call the launch a violation of UN security protocol.

American lawmakers are voicing a chorus of condemnation after a court in Iran hands down an eight-year prison sentence for American journalist Roxana Saberi. The 31 year old reporter was convicted of spying. Her father suggests that she was railroaded.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

REZA SABERI, ROXANA SABERI'S FATHER: She was talking and they told her if she stays like this, they will free her and then they didn't free her. Later she found out it was a trick.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Saberi's attorney is vowing to appeal the verdict.

Well, forget "American Idol". The nation's newest superstar may be Captain Richard Phillips who survived five days as a hostage of gun- wielding pirates.

CNN's Susan Candiotti is in Underhill, Vermont where the captain is enjoying his first day back home.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. It's a cold, rainy, and overcast day, but I think it's safe to assume that the bad weather probably is of no consequence to Captain Richard Phillips and his family. As you said, it's his first day to relax at home with his family and get reacquainted with everyone and let his hair down a bit.

Of course, this followed an 18 hour long journey back from Kenya when he arrived back in his hometown of Underhill, Vermont yesterday after that daring rescue by the U.S. Navy Seals and back home received a warm and unofficial welcome from a lot of people as they stood at various spots on the road as he was escorted back home. We heard his first words publicly spoken after that ordeal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPTAIN RICHARD PHILLIPS, RESCUED HOSTAGE: I'm not a hero. The military is. Thank them whenever you see them. The military did it. Thank you. God bless America.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Of course he was greeted with some of his favorite comfort foods including chicken pot pie, beer, and homemade brownies. But will the town hold an official celebration for him?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHARLIE VAN WINKLE, NEIGHBOR: We are a close knit community and if people - although he may not be best friends with someone, you see him around town, you see him at the store. It's all friendly, all good here. And if the Phillips want a formal celebration, the town will likely oblige. If not, so be it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: The town has said all along that they are thrilled to have their hometown in the spotlight, very proud of Captain Richard Phillips and his family. But they also say they'll be equally happy once the spotlight goes away. Fredricka? WHITFIELD: So it really does sound like it's up to Captain Phillips to determine whether indeed he wants a big hello or welcome back home or big parade or anything of that sort.

CANDIOTTI: Sure. We haven't seen him today and the family has asked for some down time, understandably.

WHITFIELD: Right. All right. Susan Candiotti, thanks so much, in Underhill, Vermont. Appreciate it.

Well, it is indeed the pirate tale that everyone wants to hear more about. How the ship's crew repelled the hijack attempts.

CNN's Brian Todd has their story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Reunited with their family, crew members with the hijacked American tanker give new details about how the young Somali pirates overpowered them.

WILLOIAM RIOS, MAERSK ALABAMA CREW MEMBER: Scary. Scary. All we had was knives. They had AK-47s.

TODD: The crew now reveals they'd been shadowed before on this journey.

RIOS: We was attacked three times. They tried to board three times. Different pirates were trying to attack us on that stretch.

TODD: They describe taking evasive maneuvers to get away. Finally, the pirates got the upper hand.

ATM ZAHID REZA, MAERSK ALABAMA CREW MEMBER: Before they came onboard they start firing with AK-47s, and one guy, one pirate, the leader, Abdul, he was the one who came on board first and he came on the bridge. "Stop the ship, stop the ship."

And then we hands-up.

TODD: Crew members say some of them hid in the steering chambers and were able to cut off power to the vessel. They say that was crucial because the pirates were reluctant to move around in the dark.

Seaman Zahid Reza says he convinced the pirate leader, Abdul, a fellow Muslim, to go to the engine room with him to check on the crew. He says the hijacker didn't bring his gun. When they got him alone, the chief engineer jumped the pirate.

REZA: The pirate is lying on the floor and chief engineer is on his back with the knife and he is having a hard time to control him and I jumped over the pirate and I stabbed him. He was fighting me and the engineer to get away with us. I was attempting to kill him. The chief engineer said, no, no, no, no. We need him alive.

TODD: That hijacker got medical attention when the U.S. Navy got there and turned out to be the only pirate that survived.

(on camera): Crew members say that pirate leader appeared only to be about 18 years old and had told them he was looking for a ransom of about $3 million. Brian Todd, CNN, Oxon Hill, Maryland.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: So how did the Navy SEALs pull off this difficult rescue? Tonight in the CNN NEWSROOM, Don Lemon takes you inside the mission to save Captain Phillips.

Get a behind the scenes look at the elite U.S. Navy SEAL training program including the training of the snipers. That is tonight in the CNN NEWSROOM, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eastern with Don Lemon.

Check that calendar already. So it's mid April and still many are dealing with winter-life weather. Check out the snow right there. More than three feet of snow fell in the Denver, Colorado area. An 80 mile stretch of Interstate 70 has since reopened. The storm stranded hundreds of travelers in shelters and then further south in the Texas Panhandle Interstate 27 has now reopened after heavy rains and hail created nearly impassible road conditions there near Amarillo.

CNN meteorologist Bonnie Schneider says more bad weather beckons for both. Oh, that's too bad. Except I know a few folks in Colorado who probably welcomed that snow.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: It is so gorgeous. I love it. And just seeing people in shorts and sandals already. I mean, we don't have spring, really, we just go straight to summer.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: We do.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks a lot, Bonnie. Appreciate it.

All right. Finding work amongst the rising tide of unemployment. It is hard. Jobless but not hopeless. Next in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Hundreds of health care workers in New Orleans may be waiting in unemployment lines next year. They work for the interim Louisiana State University Hospital which was established after Hurricane Katrina. Members of the LSU board of supervisors say the hospital is now overstaffed. It's part of Governor Bobby Jindal's plan to trim the fat from the budget.

Regulators have taken over two more U.S. banks. American Sterling Bank based in Missouri and Great Basin Bank of Nevada are the latest of 25 banks to fail this year. Customers can access money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cars over the weekend. American Sterling branches will reopen as Metcalf Bank. Nevada State Bank will take over Great Basin's deposit. All right, a month ago we began a series we like to call "Jobless, not Hopeless", tracking people who have been looking for work and we're kind of staying along with them to find out how long it might take before they actually land that job. Coming up today at 4:00 Eastern, a special hour where you can hear some of their stories. Find out what the journey has been like and we also have a surprise from one of the 10 or so people that we have been tracking. Also we will have a live mock interview with an interview coach who had valuable tips on how to nail down the job and our jobless people will have a chance to directly interact with that person along with at least two employers who are actually hiring. Interaction between those who are jobless and those who actually have the jobs to offer, we want you to be part of the conversation. Part of that hour.

So we want you to send some of your e-mailed questions as well as your comments to weekend@cnn.com. Also on Facebook Fredricka Whitfield CNN. Send in your comments and your iReports. We will get them on the air and you will be part of the discussion to try to hopefully land a job or perhaps even give some advice to someone who is out of work and looking.

All right, so that interview coach that I have been talking about, well, he is joining us now with two unemployed job seekers. Chris Iansiti is the coach and he is here to help. Kim Summerour (ph) is unemployed, she is a graphic artist and Keith Trimble, a former fleet manager with U.S. Airways, he too is here. Chris, you have been advocating people really need to know the product before they set out on that interview. What's your first bit of advice for folks?

CHRISTOPHER IANSITI, CAREER COACH: Well, we really need to make sure in today's work environment in seeking jobs that every job seeker is able to make sure that they are totally prepped and ready for the search process. So what I coach a lot of people is there is a lot of activity that I'm seeing going on right now. Lots of resumes are being sent out. What we have to focus on, Fredricka, is are they doing an equality approach? Commonly what I see is a huge gap. Is people are sending out lots of resumes and lots of cover letters, they are making lots of phone calls, yet they are not finding out specifics about the industry, the company, or the specific job. That's going to really hurt them. I I'm hiring somebody, I want them to know, are they understanding where I am as a company, industry and the specific job?

So it's a tailored approach and a qualitative approach to a couch point in the job seeking process.

WHITFIELD: It sounds like there are some real common mistakes. Really, the focus of a lot of people looking for work are saying, you know what, I just want to get my resume to somebody and I want them to see I know what my skill set is and hopefully it'll land me that job interview. You are saying beyond tailoring your resume to something very specific, you need to tailor your presentation, your personal presentation, even in that interview to make sure that you get noticed and you are memorable.

IANSITI: Perfect. What I also coach people on is what are your points of brilliance. In your career, what have your bosses and peers told you that you do exceptionally well. And that job seeker needs to take that and create a personal brand. So when I'm coming forth in a job interview, I need to be able to in a short succinct way convey the top three things that I am going to bring to you based on my previous experience.

WHITFIELD: OK, so Chris, what we are going to do is Kim and Keith are there with you. You are going to get a chance to answer their questions or perhaps you can offer your advice directly to them. We are going to check back with you and with you Kim and Keith to find out how this is going for you and off the bat, Keith or Kim, do either one of you have any questions about what you know about interviewing or what kind of questions you might have for Chris right now?

Well, should I investigate the company that I'm about to interview first before I go in so I know a little something about them?

IANSITI: Totally. That's definitely the right approach. And the good news is there is lots of resources to be able to do that. So let the Internet be your friend. Go ahead and search on the sites Linked In. Find out who is currently working there. Who could you potentially talk to before the interview that gives you a leg up about the company? What do they normally look for when they look for somebody coming into the company and the key successes they are looking for in terms of previous experience or key buzzwords or remember, culture is very important in an organization. They are going to be looking for you. Do you fit into their culture?

So I want you to focus on what are all the ways that get you prepared before you step into that interview? Because if you do that correctly, you will be confident and show that way and you are going to have a greater chance of getting that yes.

WHITFIELD: So, Chris, Kim and Keith, we are going to allow you all to get to know each other more and let you hash out other areas, Keith and Kim, or areas you want to sharpen and we will check to get a little progress report on you. Meantime, farmers are protesting. Find out what exactly is at issue.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We are following a developing story in central Maryland near Frederick. Police are investigating the deaths of five people found in a house in Middletown. The bodies of the victims believed to be a man, woman, and three children discovered this morning. Police have not revealed if there signs of violence in the home. They have scheduled a press conference at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. We will bring you more details as they become available.

And in other news across America, it was a frightening evening at the Puyallup Spring fair near Tacoma, Washington. Five children and an adult were hospitalized after an amusement park ride tipped over yesterday. Several others were treated for bruises at the scene.

And evacuated residents are returning home in Saint Charles, Minnesota. About 3,600 people were forced to flea after a poultry plant fire there. Fire officials were worried that chemical tanks inside the tank might actually explode.

And California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is telling protesters he is doing all he can to bring in more water for the state. Farmers and farm workers are marching across the state's agricultural basin to focus attention on job losses sparked by water shortages. California is in the middle of a three-year drought which has forced many farmers to actually leave fields completely unplanted.

Some people call him Captain Courageous, many others a hero. But the skipper of the Maersk Alabama says the credit belongs to others. You'll hear from him in a few minutes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Twenty nine minutes after the hour. Happening right now, the second full session getting under way at the Summit of the Americas. Earlier, the American and Venezuelan presidents shared yet another hand shake. Hugo Chavez even gave Mr. Obama a book on Latin American history. How did he respond?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

QUESTION: What did you think of the book?

BARACK OBAMA, U.S. PRESIDENT: I thought it was one of Chavez's books. I was going to give him one of mine.

I think we are making progress at the summit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: President Obama faces a series of major issues at this summit. All of them directly affect our economy from the price of gasoline to the cost of groceries. Our Josh Levs joins us to look at the top concerns on the president's agenda. With the whole world behind you.

JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The whole world behind me. I like that.

WHITFIELD: The weight of the world on your shoulders.

LEVS: It's true. We feel like that sometimes, but it's not us right now. It's the people at that meeting. I will tell you something. There is so much they're focusing on, what we have put together a really good digest of what the president is facing and as you said, how it can affect the U.S. economy.

Let's start the video. We are going to zoom in and we are going to check out some major countries along the way and some of the top issues. First we're going straight to Mexico. Fred, something you and I have talked about a lot there, drug violence a top issue that will be discussed at this summit. Also immigration , viewers always saying one of their top concerns, a big issue involving Mexico. We're coming over east now to Cuba. Where one thing is interesting, that's going to happen, some Latin American leaders are planning to call on President Obama at this summit to lift the embargo. Keep in mind the way that that embargo affects our economy including trade in general, affects the price of all sorts of things.

Down to Venezuela now, big issue there, oil. Venezuela has the ability to impact world oil markets and it has in the past. What kinds of discussions will we see specifically about oil, how will that play out worldwide, we'll see. We're zooming a little bit west. Check this out, Columbia, one of the biggest issues there, narco terrorism. Of concern really to the entire world. Some of the drugs in that region work their way up into the United States as we know and narco terrorists have gotten control over a portion of Columbia.

And one more big issue I want to show you, that's here, Brazil. A very large nation, the issue of trade with Brazil, big issue for the United States. That's not limited to Brazil. As we zoom back out, I'm going to tell you, you have serious trade questions throughout this entire hemisphere. CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, also NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, right that President Obama when he was campaigning to some extent slammed. What will be decided about trade throughout this entire region in addition to all those major other concerns. All of them Fred, could directly impact the U.S. economy and we're going to keep a close eye on all of those in the coming days.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Oh that's a fantastic look. Thanks so much Josh, appreciate it.

LEVS: You've got it, thanks.

WHITFIELD: Captain Richard Phillips is spending his first full day back home in Vermont. Captured by Somali pirates and dramatic rescue five days later was something straight out of the movies. When he came home yesterday, it was all about family. Giving credit to everyone else, here's what Captain Phillips had to say right after he got off the plane right there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. RICHARD PHILLIPS, MAERSK ALABAMA: Thank you for coming out here. I just have a few things to say, I don't have much. I just want to thank you for your prayers and support of my family while I was gone, I really appreciate that. I wasn't here to do it and a lot of people who I'll mention who really did that. I am just a bit part in this story, I'm a small part, I'm a seaman doing the best he can like all the other seaman out there.

The first people I want to thank are the seals. They are the super heroes, they're the titans. They did an impossible job and they did the impossible with me. I just want to let you know that they are out there, they are everyday people, we will not recognize and I will not divulge, but they did an excellent job and they saved me. They are at the point of the sword every day doing an impossible job which we cannot comprehend.

Second, the military, the navy, the marines, the air force. I have never been around a better group of young, more dedicated professional and capable people in my life. I've been on the Boxer and the Bainbridge, all you Bainbridge boys out there, I really appreciate the time there. I cannot speak enough about the people, the men, the women on those ships. And the dedicated service that they give to us every day. Also the Boxer I was on and again you have two cabins on there on the boxer and the Bainbridge, who are the two most coolest cucumbers I have ever met and they're doing an admirable job. And they are just proud to be leading the group of people, men and women that they have out there. I just want to thank them.

If you see the military, you thank them for me. If you're in the airport having a restaurant down the street, thank them. They're doing an impossible job. I would not be here without them. Third, I would like to thank Maersk and in particularly Mr. Moeller for doing everything he's done for me since day one, since this started early in the morning of the 8th. I can't stress enough how much they have done for me, for my family, for my kids here. Mariah, my mother, and I am just impressed to be able to work for a company like that who have done so much for me. And Mr. Moeller especially for going all out and doing everything for me that he has done.

I would like to thank my community, my fellow Vermonters for showing support. I guess it was an unbelievable outpouring. I appreciate that, I really do. It's really showing -- you really show your stuff. For all the support from my fellow Americans. I can't believe this. I'm not a hero. It floors me about everything I have read and shown the support that you have done. Also I want to thank my crew. We did it. I told you it wasn't going to be if, it's going to be when. We did what we are trained to do. We're just seaman, we do the best with what we got. And my crew did an excellent job. I'm so proud of them that they are all home and they are with their loved ones.

I want to thank my other company LMS for everything they have done for me and the opportunities they have given to me. Last of all my family, Andrea, Mariah, Danny, my mother Virginia, for the support. They have been there and it's all worth it to them. And again, thank you, I'm not the hero. The military is the hero. Thank them. Thank you. It's indescribable. Once again, I'm not a hero the military is. Thank them whenever you see them. The military did it, thank you, God bless America.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Welcome home, Captain Phillips. It's been an unbelievable two weeks for the entire crew of the Maersk Alabama and their families. And it's safe to say that everyone is quite relieved that it's over. The rest of the crew arrived back in the U.S. on Thursday at Andrews Air Force base, they actually touched down on a chartered jet from Kenya just hours before the USS Bainbridge, with Captain Phillips still on board docked in Kenya. The captain and the crew were supposed to actually meet up and then fly home together. But the Bainbridge as you know was diverted to protect yet another U.S. ship in the Indian Ocean at the time.

So how did the navy seals actually pull off this difficult rescue? Well tonight in the CNN NEWSROOM Don Lemon takes you inside the mission to save Captain Phillips. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the elite U.S. navy seal training program, including the training of the snipers. That's tonight in the CNN NEWROOM 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. eastern with Don Lemon.

Weeks after flooding, thousands are forced to leave their North Dakota homes. Now what?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The mayor of one North Dakota town is asking residents to leave just for a little while. The rising Cheyenne River overloaded the sewer system in Valley City yesterday, causing back ups for blocks. The mayor said the system will be temporarily rebuilt above ground.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHAD PETERSEN, VALLEY CITY ENGINEER: We knew the water was coming into the sanitary sewer system and at some point once you plugged it in that other end, it was still going to come up and equalize with the river.

MAYOR MAYR LEE NIELSON, VALLEY CITY, NORTH DAKOTA: We're looking at more than half of the town is going to be affected by this. So I hope people listen and plug their sewers like we told them to.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Meanwhile, officials in the border town of Meachey are asking for 15,000 more sandbags to prepare for more flooding.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: I know you're a little envious of your colleague, meteorologist Jacqui Jeras because guess where she is right now? In the Bahamas getting ready for hurricane season.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, Fredricka, painfully so I'm out here in Nassau, in the islands of the Bahamas. The weather is beautiful, but we're spending a lot of time indoors at conferences. I'm here with tropical meteorologists from across the globe and we're learning the latest in technology and forecasting techniques. We've got a lot of great and exciting new changes that are going to be coming up for the 2009 hurricane season. That's just a month and a half away, it starts June 1. One of the big things that you guys are going to notice, you'll see it right on our products that we use at CNN, is that cone of uncertainty as we call it, which really kind of narrows down that area where we had the greatest likelihood of seeing a hurricane or a tropical system make landfall while forecasting track records have gotten so much better that that cone will be smaller this coming year.

Also down the pipe we're going to see some more changes in terms of watches and warnings. We'll expand the lead time on those, so that's going to give people better information and more time to make decision when they do their preparation in addition to their thoughts about evacuation. A lot of big changes coming down the line Fredricka. Of course we're coming off the 2008 season with a record year, with storms like Fay and Gustav and of course hurricane Ike. We'll talk a little bit more in the next hour coming up about what you can expect in changes in the Simpson scale, that's the category that hurricanes are assigned.

And by the way Fredricka, a new list of names of course this year as well. We've got a new name on the list, it's not Fredricka, but we could see a hurricane Fred. Reporting from Nassau, Bahamas I'm meteorologist Jacqui Jeras. Fred, back to you.

WHITFIELD: That is a fair warning. Look out. Hurricane Fred just might be coming. Thanks a lot, Jacqui.

Bank fees they are on the rise, but why?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: About a month ago, we began a series that we like to call jobless, not hopeless, where we began tracking people who are unemployed. We met many of them at job fairs and we've been kind of going every step of the way with them to find out how hard it is to get that job. And hopefully will get that job. So today at 4:00 eastern, you'll be hearing from them directly. Also a live mock session with an interview coach who has some very valuable tips on how to nail down that job interview and then get that job. Plus two employers who are actually hiring, they'll be joining us live as well.

And of course there are creative ways in which to find a job. So we want to hear from you. We want your questions, we want your comments. Send them to weekends@cnn.com or my Facebook page, fredrickawhitfieldcnn, we'll get them on the air. You too will be part of this conversation. So I mentioned that interview coach that will be with us. Chris Iansiti, well he is right here. We introduce you to him during this hour and he is here with Kim Summerour who is a graphic artist who has been out of work for quite a few months now and Keith Tremble as well who was a fleet manager with US Airways, he too is trying to nail down that job.

The three of you have been conversing for the past 30 minutes or so talking about the dos and don'ts once you land that interview. But before you get that interview Chris, you are underscoring that you know what, you cannot overlook the importance of a strong resume, really figure out the best way to sell yourself. So what are you learning from Keith and Kim and what have you been able to advise?

CHRISTOPHER IANSITI, CAREER COACH: I'm coaching Keith and Kim around making sure that your resume has got information up front around your qualifications. What are the results you have given to companies? Remember, they're looking at you and finding out how you're going to save them money, right? They're looking at you and making sure, if I hire you, I'm going to reduce my risk. Because everyone in business right now has a lot to do. A lot of job cuts means we're trying to get more done with less people. Keith, I want to make sure on your resume that you have got up front, listed results over your great tenure in the airline industry. Where have you saved them money? You have been in operations. So that's very detailed work. What have been the results, service level qualities that you've been able to change. Put that up here because that is what's going to sell you getting that job.

WHITFIELD: So Keith, is that something that crossed your mind? How to sell yourself to a company and say, I can actually help you save money?

KEITH TRIMBLE, UNEMPLOYED FLEET OPERATIONS MANAGER: Yeah, it has on different occasions and I reread my resume I can't tell you how many times to try to put that information in. Part of the problem that I have though, is in the airline business a lot of this is very technical information, there are a lot of acronyms. I have been coached before to try to make it applicable to a broad range of positions and a broad range of companies. It's a little difficult to do that, but it's possible, I'm sure.

WHITFIELD: What perhaps Keith has been your biggest frustration that perhaps Chris has helped address for you in terms of you have great experience. You are a professional and you earn great money as a result of your great expertise. But now a lot of companies you know want to cut that bottom line. Are you finding that many companies are saying, you know what, we find you are overqualified. You don't want to dumb down your resume nor your skill set. Is that a frustration for you?

TRIMBLE: I have run into a brick wall with that. Many times I have been told that we don't want to hire you or we're not going to hire you because you're not the right fit for the position. What I've understood is if you're going to be with us, be with us. And they think if I get the job and something better comes along I'm going to go.

WHITFIELD: So he has to somehow convey that then to the prospective employer once that interview comes around. How do you do that and tell me a little bit more about this. What you're saying is you need to in fact mirror the company or the person interviewing you.

IANSITI: Keith what you can do is point back to the many years that you've worked for certain companies. You have a lot of stick with itness and so you need to make sure that you are -- why are you wanting this job and why are you wanting this employer, this company. And that you plan to stick with it based on these many years.

WHITFIELD: That you're loyal. You would want to say that, use that kind of language, you think?

IANSITI: Exactly, totally. That you're a loyal, committed employee. You have followers and you have a great track record here of leading teams and all and having greater successes and more levels of management. So you need to hone in on that.

WHITFIELD: Great, and Kim, what did you hear today during this interview coaching session that perhaps you didn't know before? Are you rethinking something now?

KIM SUMMEROUR, UNEMPLOYED GRAPHIC ARTIST: Yes, I am. I'm going to make a separate resume. I'm looking for something in my field which is graphic design, but right now I'm probably going to try to find something in customer service. So I'm going to make another resume just geared towards that.

WHITFIELD: Excellent. Kim and Keith you all are going to be back with us as well as Chris in the 4:00 eastern hour. We're going to flush out this some more because there is so much to learn about interviewing. Who thought that you need to get instructions on interviewing. Because I think a lot of us feel like, you know what, I present myself and I tell my story and that's it. But the game has changed. Thanks so much Chris Iansiti and Keith Trimble and Kim Summerour, we'll see you again in the 4:00 eastern hour. You again in the 3:00 eastern hour actually. Ok, we're going to be right back right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Hearing what could come later has many Americans actually rushing to buy guns right now. CNN's Sean Callebs explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is Tyler, Texas, one of those places all over America where a kind of quiet call to arms is getting louder and louder. Just ask attorney Sean Healey and Jimmy Moore who is a nurse.

(on camera): Who thinks President Obama wants gun control, wants to restrict the kinds of guns you can get?

SEAN HEALY, ATTORNEY: If you look at what he said in the past and look at his actions, if he and the people in control of congress right now could have what they want, they would heavily restrict or eliminate guns from this country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He voted for a 500 percent increase in the tax on guns and ammunition, doubling basically the cost of my hobby and my passion.

CALLEBS: So here in Tyler and other parts of the country, there has been a run on ammunition. One man went into a Wal-Mart and said sell me all the ammo you have. Guns, they're also flying off shelves. Those highly priced semi automatic rifles are becoming more and more expensive.

This says $2200, why is it so expensive?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now they're just about impossible to find. Hard to get. Everybody kind of got scared, the market got depleted.

CALLEBS: A run on guns because of President Barack Obama. But since he has been president, I'm quoting here, "I will not take away your guns." He couldn't be more clear. But listen to his secretary of state. She sounds as though she has a different message.

(voice-over): This is what she said in Mexico when asked why the administration isn't fighting the sale of assault weapons.

HILLARY CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE: I'm not going to sugar coat it. It's a very heavy lift. I think that's a mistake. I think these assault weapons, these military-style weapons don't belong on anyone's street.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is her intent to see gun legislation pass.

HEALY: It's a little bit ridiculous to blame Americans for the fact that people in foreign countries are trying to ship illegal drugs into our country and they're committing violence against each other.

CALLEBS: Back in the gun store.

(on camera): Why would someone own a semi automatic weapon like this. Is saying it's my right, is that enough?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, I believe it is. Yes, I believe it is. It's what's (INAUDIBLE)

CALLEBS (voice-over): Remember Jimmy Moore? He owns an AR-15.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not a freak. I'm a registered nurse. I'm a responsible individual. I'm a law-abiding citizen. I have been one my entire life.

CALLEBS: A nurse, an attorney. Not the usual portrait of second amendment die-hards. The man who owns the Lock and Load gun shop, he's a cardiologist who moved here from New York.

Are you profiting on this fear right now?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we are. Again, I don't know how rational it is.

Good afternoon, lock and load.

CALLEBS: In fact it may not be rational at all. It might even be paranoid. One thing is certain. Many gun owners believe this president is somehow out to curb their rights and they are stocking up just in case. Sean Callebs, CNN, Tyler, Texas.

(END OF VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, we're tackling issue number one, the economy for the next two hours. Practical solutions for all of us. The next hour, college students and their growing debt. How can they get out of it? Then at 4:00 eastern, our special series jobless, not hopeless. Laid off workers will be joining me right here in the studio to talk to a career coach, they'll also get a chance to interact directly with two employers who are looking to hire many people. We need you to look out for that. Maybe you can find a job in it as well. Answers for all of us, coming up.

Handshakes, gift giving and a thawing relation between the U.S. and some long time foes. It's all happening at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. President Obama is reaching out to leaders there including Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, known for his fiery anti-American rhetoric. President Obama greeted the leftist leader and Mr. Chavez told the president quote, "I want to be your friend." Later, he actually gave Mr. Obama a present in the form of a book.